SPARKLE's Dr. Chelsea Ignacio shares accessible options to step up your oral hygiene game from home&mdash;even after the pandemic.

As if stepping out your home isn't already a risk to anybody, we&nbsp;do&nbsp;also have to think about our oral health. A lot of us haven't been to a dentist's office in a year, and with reason&mdash;going mask-free AND opening up the mouth just seems like the easiest way to catch anything. But, there&rsquo;s always a way to keep your dental health in tip-top shape right in the comfort of your homes.
L&rsquo;Officiel speaks to <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Dr. Chelsea Ignacio, R.N., D.M.D, resident dentist at <a href="https://shopee.ph/sparkleofficialstore" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SPARKLE PH</a>, about how our habits and diets can affect our oral health and what we can do to make them better, which fun dental gadgets work or don&rsquo;t, what ionic dental care is all about, and how to keep our teeth and mouth healthy while we wait for that appointment.&nbsp;

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What is the one thing people need to do with their oral care if they can't or aren't comfortable going to the dentist during a pandemic?
Oral health is an important component of health and overall well-being. Strategies include reduction in common risk factors such as smoking and alcohol use, promotion of a healthy diet which are low in sugar, community water fluoridation, topical fluorides, use of proper oral care products, and promotion of oral health in community settings. Prevention is a cornerstone of public health.
Also, the COVID-19 pandemic has thrust alternative modalities such as Teledentistry or &ldquo;online consultation&rdquo; which supports the delivery of oral health services through electronic communication means, connecting providers and patients without usual time and space constraints. It is used to facilitate access to preventive services and oral health education when members of the dental team can provide such services in community settings, such as schools, without onsite dentist supervision.
Teledentistry can be used for education, consultation, and triage, allowing providers to advise patients whether their dental concerns constitute a need for urgent or emergency care, whether a condition could be temporarily alleviated at home, or whether treatment could be postponed.
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How do you build better oral health habits?&nbsp;
Your smile and your overall health depend on simple dental care habits, such as brushing and flossing. Consider these brushing basics:
<ol>
 <li>When you brush, don't rush. Brush your teeth twice a day! Take about two minutes to do a thorough job. Don't brush right after eating, especially if you had something acidic such as grapefruit or soda&hellip; Wait for at least 30 mins! Don't forget to clean your tongue, which harbors bacteria, with a toothbrush or tongue scraper.</li>
 <li>Practice good technique. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle &mdash; aiming the bristles toward the area where your tooth meets your gum. Gently brush with circular short back-and-forth motions. Brushing too hard or with hard bristles can hurt your gums. Brush your teeth for two minutes. Remember to brush the outside, inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as your tongue. And don't forget to replace your toothbrush or brush head after 3-4 months.</li>
 <li>Keep your toothbrush clean. Always rinse your toothbrush with water after brushing. Try to keep it separate from other toothbrushes in the same holder to prevent cross-contamination. Don't routinely place toothbrushes or store them in closed containers, which can encourage the growth of bacteria, mold and yeast.</li>
 <li>If you can't reach the bacteria in the tight spaces between your teeth and under the gum line with a toothbrush, F-L-O-S-S!!! That's why daily flossing is important. As long as you do a thorough job, it doesn't matter if you brush or floss first.</li>
</ol>
In addition to daily brushing and flossing, consider using mouthwash to promote oral health. Also, resist the temptation to use toothpicks or other objects that could injure your gums and let in bacteria. If you smoke, try to quit. Smoking cigarettes increases your risk of many diseases, including gum disease and tooth loss.

Let's talk about diets. How much does this affect teeth and mouth health?&nbsp;
As much as brushing consistently, flossing and rinsing is important, what you eat can have a significant impact on your oral health. Your mouth, teeth, and gums are more than just tools for eating. Your mouth is your body&rsquo;s initial point of contact with the nutrients you consume. So what you put in your mouth impacts not only your general health but also that of your teeth and gums. In fact, if your nutrition is poor, the first signs often show up in your mouth. Everything you eat affects your whole body, which is why it is so important to visit your dentist regularly, as they&rsquo;re the only people who have the skills and expertise to properly address all your oral health care needs.
I want to ask about fun dental gadgets&mdash;is tongue scraping actually healthy? What are your thoughts on water flosses? What about at-home whitening kits?&mdash;how do we distinguish what works, what is healthy, and what are gimmicks?&nbsp;
Tongue scraping stands to reward anyone willing to give it a try, and it is worth understanding the advantages a tongue scraper has to offer your overall health and well-being. Although no amount of scraping can replace a good toothbrushing&mdash; it is advisable to brush your tongue at least twice a day, once in the morning and once at night before you hit the sack.
Tooth sensitivity is perhaps the most common side effect of hydrogen peroxide use. The amount of hydrogen peroxide in commercial whitening treatments varies and can be as much as 10 percent in some products. But research suggest dilution is a good thing when it comes to using hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening; concentrations that are too strong can damage the enamel, or outer coating, of your teeth.&nbsp;
For this reason, SPARKLE toothpaste is formulated with Micro White Silica, a better and safer ingredient to keep your teeth clean and healthy that can remove stains without causing further sensitivity.
Water irrigation meanwhile may sometimes help supplement (but not replace!) brushing and flossing. Whether you could benefit from particular toothpastes, mouth rinses or at-home whitening kits, it&rsquo;s always better to always seek professional help and ask your dentist first! In some cases, over-the-counter whitening kits may be doing you more harm than good, depending on your condition. To have the best oral hygiene and health, it&rsquo;s always best for you to consult a dentist and let him/her lead your way.

Of course, I wanna ask you about ionic dental care like SPARKLE. Could you explain how this works in cleaning and keeping teeth and mouth healthy?
Regular brushing is important to break down these biofilms so they can be detached from the teeth and removed. The more complete this removal, the better the outcome. The SPARKLE ionic toothbrush harnesses nature to remove more plaque, while improving gingival health.&nbsp;
As holistic health has driven innovation, ionic toothbrushes have taken oral care to the next level. Research shows that using an ionic toothbrush safely and significantly reduces gingivitis and plaque formation. When we eat, plaque is naturally formed and is bonded to our teeth by the-positive ions found in saliva. If plaque isn&rsquo;t thoroughly removed, it hardens into tartar and can lead to different oral health problems like cavities and gum disease. With SPARKLE's Ionic Technology, it makes sure plaque is thoroughly removed.&nbsp;
The toothbrush is powered by a small battery that, when activated by touching the metal band with a wet finger, releases negative ions. This then in turn loosens the bond between teeth and plaque making it easier to remove the plaque with no harsh brushing needed. Users of this SPARKLE Ionic toothbrush report whiter teeth too!

Find SPARKLE products <a href="https://shopee.ph/sparkleofficialstore" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.&nbsp;</a>and follow them on <a href="http://instagram.com/sparklewhiteph" target="_blank" rel="noopener">instagram.</a>

No Dentist Trips? No Prob. This Dentist Shows How To Keep Oral Health in Top Shape At Home

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